Governor Doyle Signs Impartial Justice Bill to Provide Full Public Financing of Supreme Court Campaigns
[We have received the following from Governor Doyle's office and are pleased to publish it here.]
Governor Doyle Signs Impartial Justice Bill to Provide Full Public Financing of Supreme Court Campaigns;
Also Signs Bill to Strengthen Dog Breeding Regulations, Nine Other Bills
MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today signed into law legislation that will provide full public financing for Supreme Court campaigns. Senate Bill 40 creates a democracy trust fund that will provide publicly-funded grants for qualifying Supreme Court candidates who voluntarily agree to abide by a spending limit of $400,000.
“We have all seen how interest groups can sway the outcome of Wisconsin Supreme Court Cases,” Governor Doyle said. “This legislation is an important campaign finance reform that will ensure impartiality and public confidence in our state’s highest court. I have long championed this reform and I am proud to finally sign it into law today.”
Governor Doyle thanked Senators Kreitlow and Taylor, and Representatives Hintz and Hilgenberg for their work on the bill.
Governor Doyle also signed into law Assembly Bill 250, a bill that significantly strengthens the regulation and oversight of dog breeders and dog breeding facilities. This bill requires dog sellers, dog shelters and animal control facilities to be licensed, sets uniform standards for living conditions, and provides new penalties for those who don’t obtain licenses.
“With this bill, we are taking important steps to protect innocent animals from irresponsible breeders and shut down puppy mills in Wisconsin ,” Governor Doyle said. “We need to ensure all dogs have access to proper food, water, exercise, and enclosures. And we need to end Wisconsin ’s reputation as a safe haven for puppy mills.”
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Smith and Sinicki, and Senators Kreitlow and Darling for their work on the bill.
Governor Doyle also signed into law the following bills:
Senate Bill 241 modifies the definition of all-terrain vehicle.
Governor Doyle thanked Senators Holperin and Taylor, and Representatives Hraychuck and Brooks for their work on the bill.
Senate Bill 253 creates further color and size allowances for traffic control devices that contain advertising and are used by school safety patrols.
Governor Doyle thanked Senators Kreitlow and Lehman, and Representatives Dexter and Suder for their work on the bill.
Senate Bill 259 relates to the homestead exemption and increases the value in the exemption for various properties (such as motor vehicles) that is exempt from execution.
Governor Doyle thanked Senators Taylor and Lehman, and Representatives Hebl and Sherman for their work on the bill.
Assembly Bill 111 sets the lifetime limit at $1 million for an individual’s major medical coverage under the Health Insurance Risk-Sharing Plan and allows the HIRSP Authority to raise that limit.
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Bernard Schaber and Clark, and Senators Vinehout and Lehman for their work on the bill.
Assembly Bill 112 changes the eligibility requirement for the Health Insurance Risk-Sharing Plan to individuals who have been denied coverage by one or more insurers, rather than two or more insurers.
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Bernard Schaber and Clark, and Senators Vinehout and Lehman for their work on the bill.
Assembly Bill 164 grants to a relative, other than a parent, who is housing a child the same rights as the head of a foster home, treatment foster home or group home relating to notice of intent to remove a child from the home and review of decisions or orders involving the placement and care of the child.
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Grigsby and Seidel, and Senators Taylor and Lassa for their work on the bill.
Assembly Bill 258 prohibits disposing in landfills used automotive oil filters and materials that have been used to absorb spilled or used automotive engine oil in landfills.
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Hubler and Black, and Senators Harsdorf and Taylor for their work on the bill.
Assembly Bill 266 requires support services information to be given to employees who are affected by a business closing or mass layoff and provides a penalty to employers who do not comply.
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Dexter and Bernard Schaber, and Senators Kreitlow and Sullivan for their work on the bill.
Assembly Bill 297 relates to child abuse and neglect prevention grants and broadens funding beyond six rural counties, three urban counties and two Indian tribes.
Governor Doyle thanked the Joint Legislative Council for its work on the bill.
[We have also received the following from Rep. Gordon Hintz's office and are pleased to publish it on his behalf.]
Impartial Justice Legislation Signed into Law;
Rep. Hintz applauds Governor Doyle for taking action today
MADISON– Governor Jim Doyle signed the Impartial Justice Bill (Senate Bill 40) into law today at a ceremony in the Capitol. Rep. Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) was the lead Assembly co-sponsor of this bill which makes public financing of Supreme Court campaigns a viable option.
“The Impartial Justice legislation signed into law today by Governor Doyle is a big step to improving the Supreme Court election process in Wisconsin ,” said Rep. Hintz. “The public deserves an impartial court free of the corrupting influence of special interest money and I applaud the hard work done by the Assembly and the Senate to get this important bill passed.”
The Impartial Justice Bill (SB 40) changes Wisconsin ’s campaign finance law to create a public financing option for Supreme Court Justice candidates. It is the most comprehensive campaign finance law to be signed into law in the state of Wisconsin since 1977. In 2007, $5.8 million was spent on the Supreme Court race, which is four times more than had ever been spent on a high court election before. Both general election candidates broke the all-time record for fundraising and spending, but ended up being outspent by a handful of interest groups. In 2008, that spending increased to $6 million.
“The increase in the amounts spent on Supreme Court elections highlights the great need for public financing options,” said Rep. Hintz. “We must protect the integrity of the state’s highest court and this bill is a crucial step in the right direction”
Rep. Gordon Hintz (D-54) and Senator Pat Kreitlow (D-23) were the lead sponsors of this legislation which was passed by the State Senate and Assembly with broad bipartisan support on November 5th.
Governor Doyle Signs Impartial Justice Bill to Provide Full Public Financing of Supreme Court Campaigns;
Also Signs Bill to Strengthen Dog Breeding Regulations, Nine Other Bills
MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today signed into law legislation that will provide full public financing for Supreme Court campaigns. Senate Bill 40 creates a democracy trust fund that will provide publicly-funded grants for qualifying Supreme Court candidates who voluntarily agree to abide by a spending limit of $400,000.
“We have all seen how interest groups can sway the outcome of Wisconsin Supreme Court Cases,” Governor Doyle said. “This legislation is an important campaign finance reform that will ensure impartiality and public confidence in our state’s highest court. I have long championed this reform and I am proud to finally sign it into law today.”
Governor Doyle thanked Senators Kreitlow and Taylor, and Representatives Hintz and Hilgenberg for their work on the bill.
Governor Doyle also signed into law Assembly Bill 250, a bill that significantly strengthens the regulation and oversight of dog breeders and dog breeding facilities. This bill requires dog sellers, dog shelters and animal control facilities to be licensed, sets uniform standards for living conditions, and provides new penalties for those who don’t obtain licenses.
“With this bill, we are taking important steps to protect innocent animals from irresponsible breeders and shut down puppy mills in Wisconsin ,” Governor Doyle said. “We need to ensure all dogs have access to proper food, water, exercise, and enclosures. And we need to end Wisconsin ’s reputation as a safe haven for puppy mills.”
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Smith and Sinicki, and Senators Kreitlow and Darling for their work on the bill.
Governor Doyle also signed into law the following bills:
Senate Bill 241 modifies the definition of all-terrain vehicle.
Governor Doyle thanked Senators Holperin and Taylor, and Representatives Hraychuck and Brooks for their work on the bill.
Senate Bill 253 creates further color and size allowances for traffic control devices that contain advertising and are used by school safety patrols.
Governor Doyle thanked Senators Kreitlow and Lehman, and Representatives Dexter and Suder for their work on the bill.
Senate Bill 259 relates to the homestead exemption and increases the value in the exemption for various properties (such as motor vehicles) that is exempt from execution.
Governor Doyle thanked Senators Taylor and Lehman, and Representatives Hebl and Sherman for their work on the bill.
Assembly Bill 111 sets the lifetime limit at $1 million for an individual’s major medical coverage under the Health Insurance Risk-Sharing Plan and allows the HIRSP Authority to raise that limit.
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Bernard Schaber and Clark, and Senators Vinehout and Lehman for their work on the bill.
Assembly Bill 112 changes the eligibility requirement for the Health Insurance Risk-Sharing Plan to individuals who have been denied coverage by one or more insurers, rather than two or more insurers.
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Bernard Schaber and Clark, and Senators Vinehout and Lehman for their work on the bill.
Assembly Bill 164 grants to a relative, other than a parent, who is housing a child the same rights as the head of a foster home, treatment foster home or group home relating to notice of intent to remove a child from the home and review of decisions or orders involving the placement and care of the child.
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Grigsby and Seidel, and Senators Taylor and Lassa for their work on the bill.
Assembly Bill 258 prohibits disposing in landfills used automotive oil filters and materials that have been used to absorb spilled or used automotive engine oil in landfills.
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Hubler and Black, and Senators Harsdorf and Taylor for their work on the bill.
Assembly Bill 266 requires support services information to be given to employees who are affected by a business closing or mass layoff and provides a penalty to employers who do not comply.
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Dexter and Bernard Schaber, and Senators Kreitlow and Sullivan for their work on the bill.
Assembly Bill 297 relates to child abuse and neglect prevention grants and broadens funding beyond six rural counties, three urban counties and two Indian tribes.
Governor Doyle thanked the Joint Legislative Council for its work on the bill.
[We have also received the following from Rep. Gordon Hintz's office and are pleased to publish it on his behalf.]
Impartial Justice Legislation Signed into Law;
Rep. Hintz applauds Governor Doyle for taking action today
MADISON– Governor Jim Doyle signed the Impartial Justice Bill (Senate Bill 40) into law today at a ceremony in the Capitol. Rep. Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) was the lead Assembly co-sponsor of this bill which makes public financing of Supreme Court campaigns a viable option.
“The Impartial Justice legislation signed into law today by Governor Doyle is a big step to improving the Supreme Court election process in Wisconsin ,” said Rep. Hintz. “The public deserves an impartial court free of the corrupting influence of special interest money and I applaud the hard work done by the Assembly and the Senate to get this important bill passed.”
The Impartial Justice Bill (SB 40) changes Wisconsin ’s campaign finance law to create a public financing option for Supreme Court Justice candidates. It is the most comprehensive campaign finance law to be signed into law in the state of Wisconsin since 1977. In 2007, $5.8 million was spent on the Supreme Court race, which is four times more than had ever been spent on a high court election before. Both general election candidates broke the all-time record for fundraising and spending, but ended up being outspent by a handful of interest groups. In 2008, that spending increased to $6 million.
“The increase in the amounts spent on Supreme Court elections highlights the great need for public financing options,” said Rep. Hintz. “We must protect the integrity of the state’s highest court and this bill is a crucial step in the right direction”
Rep. Gordon Hintz (D-54) and Senator Pat Kreitlow (D-23) were the lead sponsors of this legislation which was passed by the State Senate and Assembly with broad bipartisan support on November 5th.
posted by Cheryl Hentz at 4:51 PM
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